The Roman Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum is one of the most famous buildings ever built. It has stood at the center of Rome for nearly 2000 years, from the days in which the Empire dominated ancient Europe and all the way up to today. If you’re visiting Rome, you can’t afford to miss this ancient and spectacular monument.

Learn more about the fascinating history of the Colosseum, from its construction to its present day status as one of the most famous architectural monuments in the world. The Colosseum wasn’t only a combat arena, did you know that over its 2000 year history it has been used as a cemetery, as housing for Rome’s poor, and as a fortified castle of a powerful Roman clan?

Everyone has seen ‘Gladiator’, but who were really the gladiators that fought in the arena? Over the course of three centuries, their battles in the Colosseum were the talk of the town. Some of them scaled great heights and became famous celebrities, but for every one that succeeded, hundreds of others died anonymously in the arena.

Despite the wear and tear it has been subjected to through the ages, the Colosseum is still remarkably well preserved. The building’s architecture is a medley of the three most important Roman orders, Tuscan, Ionic and Corinthian, and it is full of little details that attest the ingenuity of those who designed it.

With over four million visitors a year, the Colosseum is the most popular tourist attraction in Italy, and one of the most popular in the world. Here you’ll find everything you need to know to plan your visit, from opening schedules, to transportation, accessibility, security, and places to visit nearby.

As with every massively popular tourist attraction, there are numerous types of tickets available, and you can choose whether to book them online or buy them when you arrive at the Colosseum. Here you’ll find information on the different tickets and their prices, as well as instructions on how to purchase your tickets in advance so you can skip the long lines at the gate.

One of the best ways to get the most out of your visit to the Colosseum is to join a guided a tour with an expert guide. You’ll get many insights into the building’s history, its architecture, cool and unknown facts, and interesting stories. You’ll also get to see areas of the Colosseum that are usually off-limits, like the underground hypogeum and the upper levels.

Did you know that the Colosseum could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 people? That’s more than many modern football stadiums. Did you know that it was built by up to 100,000 slaves, captured by Rome in its many wars? Did you know that it is believed that as many as 400,000 people died in the Colosseum’s bloody spectacles during the three centuries it was in use?